and nato commanders wanting to send a message of stability an continuity, in the face of the taliban attacks and the general handing over the reins to john allen as he gives up the uniform he worked for more than 30 years to become the next director of the cia. and petraeus struck an optimistic tone today. . >> contrary to the forecasts of significant further increases in the attack levels this year the number of attacks the past two-and-a-half months was actually less than the number for the same period last year, even though there are over 80,000 more afghan and isap forces on the ground this year and we have been on the offensive. >> reporter: today's ceremony, one of several handovers in afghanistan this week. on sunday, nato led forces handed control to afghan forces in a central province marking the start of a gradual transition process, that will end with all foreign combat troops leaving afghanistan by the end of 2014 and the new commanding general, offering this sobering assessment about the transition. >> there will be tough days ahead. and i have no illusions about the cha